Please help with wheel center cap ID

MOVE N UP

Well-Known Member
Joined
Apr 25, 2015
Messages
653
Reaction score
2,161
Location
Maine
image.jpeg
image.jpeg
I picked up a very nice set of 4 15"x 6 Chrysler road wheels today! The seller threw in a box of 6 excellent driver quality trim rings, and 7 extra center domes. I just opened up the box and found out that 5 of the domes are taller than usual..... And they are in remarkably better condition than what you usually see on the more common short domes It would seem that the quality of the metal used for the taller ones must be of a higher standard. I have never seen this type of dome base before, and they are missing the top caps. And oddly to me, the caps appear to be fastened to the lower parts by 4 small screws. I am going to guess that they are the early "volcano" type. I know that the AMC domes are cast as one piece, and the diameter of the top is smaller... So are Chryslers a two piece unit? Or do I have something else entirely ? Thanks for any input!
 
Last edited:
The taller domes were used on the 1970 - 73 models for sure, and some say into 1974 as well. The shorter domes were used in 1974 through at least 1978 I believe , all of these being on C bodies. All of the domes in this period used on C bodies were 2 pieces. The missing caps are serrated on the taller, earlier domes and look much like the AMC caps, but are not the same - the caps are a little wider than the AMC built in caps. I don't think the quality of the chrome/metal was much different between the two series of Chrysler caps, and the pitting you see are probably more a function of the environment they have been in rather than the quality of the plating. Just my obversations over time.
I sent you a PM about them.
 
Last edited:
The taller domes were used on the 1970 - 73 models for sure, and some say into 1974 as well. The shorter domes were used in 1974 through at least 1978 I believe , all of these being on C bodies. All of the domes in this period used on C bodies were 2 pieces. The missing caps are serrated on the taller, earlier domes and look much like the AMC caps, but are not the same - the caps are a little wider than the AMC built in caps. I don't think the quality of the chrome/metal was much different between the two series of Chrysler caps, and the pitting you see are probably more a function of the environment they have been in rather than the quality of the plating. Just my obversations over time.
I sent you a PM about them.


What Steve said
 
Thanks for the replies, and confirmation on what they are.... Now, anyone have a source for the top caps? eBay has nothing !
 
You can get a few NOS caps on partsvoice or arizonaparts. I believe they were about $85-$95 a piece.
 
Old thread, but FWIW:
The AMC caps are also a little larger OD (maybe 1/8"?) and will NOT fit down far enough into a typical stamped Mopar wheel to fasten properly. Meaning, not into a Supercoupe, Mag GT, etc.
 
The original Class II 16-slot road wheel started in 1970 on C-body cars only, usually Chrysler and Dodge. Don't recall them being on Plymouths.

In 1975, the shorter ones with the smooth cap were on C-body cars, generally, but were also part of the Radial Tire Roadability Package on '75 Road Runners. Goodyear GR70-15 white letter radials with the first B-body rear sway bar from the factory. They were also very common on Chrysler Cordobas! 1975-1977, but for '78 "bling was in" for fancy wheel covers. And, as mentioned, on the Kit Car Wheels.

The Magnum GT wheels were the 15x7 police wheels, but without the bumps to hold on hub caps AND a special metallic gray paint. The Kit Car wheels were the same thing, but in 15x8. I put a set of the Magnum GT wheels on my '80 Newport, even with whitewalls. Looks good without trim rings, if desired. I bought the first set when Chrysler had them on "closeout" for $200 complete, even the factory special bolts that hold the caps to the wheel, across the front counter and not "out the back door".

The retaining bolts for the main section are special, although many might not use them. They were normal bolts, with a captive copper washer, and a "sheet metal" cut on the end. The caps themselves were not threaded prior to installation, so the bolts cut their own threads. IF a non-factory bolt is used, it's very easy to put convex dimples on the outside of the cap! Using "less not more" installation torque is needed, too, as the pot metal of the cap is not that hard. It doesn't take much past "snug" to strip the threads.

CBODY67
 
Correct, Marty and the original poster were asking about caps, not domes, unless I'm reading it all wrong
 
That's why I hi-lighted the cap in the parts book picture.
What is the dome on the right in the OP's picture?
In Steves post he said that the taller dome(the one on the right in the OP's picture) was for '70-'73's.
 
Last edited:
In any event, "matched pairs" of parts.

CBODY67
 
That's why I hi-lighted the cap in the parts book picture.
What is the dome on the right in the OP's picture?
In Steves post he said that the taller dome(the one on the right in the OP's picture) was for '70-'73's.
I believe the dome on teh right is a 70-74, based on comparing that picture to one in my basement.
 
Back
Top